Mateo Garcia registers to vote with the help of Shirlee Smith at the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office National Voter Registration Day event outside of the Alvarado Square in September 2024. Democrats hold an advantage in terms of voter registration in New Mexico, but Republicans and independents have been increasing their ranks in recent years.

In small-town New Mexico, "every vote can truly be a tipping point on how a race goes." This year 10 races were decided by five votes or less.